95 concorde won't shift into third gear

[Joust]

this just started.
as I take off when it first is started, it shifts fine from first to 2nd, then it seems to shift to neutral.
after this, it stays in 2nd and won't shift up.
it shifts down to 1st and back up to 2nd ok but won't go into third.
if stopped, it shifts to park, drive, and reverse just fine.
the shifter feels a little sloppy and it was recently replaced on a recall.
could loose linkage cause this?
there is the correct amount of fluid.

Its a 3.5
I just gave this car to my son and he is having the worst luck. please help with suggestions.

[AWP9521]

Take it to a dealer and have them check it out, you could have a solenoid problem or the TCM may be faulty, worse case scenario would be the transmission is in need of a rebuilding/replacing.